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MARIJUANA RESEARCH REPORT Biennial
2015-2017
University of Washington Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute
The Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI), a multidisciplinary research center
at the University of Washington’s Health Sciences Administration, has been
the recipient of the Washington State Dedicated Marijuana Fund for
research at the University of Washington (Dedicated Marijuana Fund) since
July 2015.
This report presents the activities and products developed by ADAI with
support from the Dedicated Marijuana Fund during the 2015-2017 Biennium.
IN THIS REPORT Page 2 Message from the Director
Dr. Dennis Donovan outlines priorities for the ADAI Marijuana Dedicated
Fund, in alignment with the spirit of the Initiative 502 and state legislative
intent.
Page 3 Research Funding
ADAI’s Marijuana Small Grant Program supported UW departments to
conduct studies on the long and short term effect of marijuana use.
Intramural projects analyzed state and national data on marijuana use
among vulnerable populations.
Page 5 Workforce Training
Online trainings supported the dissemination of scientific information to
health and social service providers in Washington.
Page 6 Informing the Public
Dissemination of research findings involved the ADAI marijuana website, a
UW symposium, and the ADAI Clearinghouse. ADAI scientists developed
Research Briefs and Factsheets summarizing research findings for the public.
Page 7 Collaboration and Outreach
Collaboration with various state, county and non-government agencies
brought education, research and community outreach opportunities.
ADAI Cannabis Workgroup
ADAI Marijuana Research Report 2015-2017 Page | 2
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
assage of Initiative 502 (I-502), which legalized the sale of recreational marijuana
to adults in Washington State, also called for funds to support prevention,
treatment, public health, and public education related to marijuana use and
misuse in Washington. The original legislation following the implementation of
I-502 also specified that a percentage of excise taxes on the growth, processing, and sale
of recreational marijuana be provided to the University of Washington and Washington
State University “for research on the short and long-term effects of marijuana use, to
include but not be limited to formal and informal methods for estimating and measuring
intoxication and impairment, and for the dissemination of such research.”
The University of Washington Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI) was also
specifically included in the original I-502 legislation: Funds were earmarked for
ADAI “for the creation, maintenance, and timely updating of web-based public
education materials providing medically and scientifically accurate information
about the health and safety risks posed by marijuana use” and the legislation
specified that “In deciding which programs and practices to fund, the Secretary
of the Department of Social and Health Services shall consult, at least annually,
with the University of Washington's Social Development Research Group and the
University of Washington's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute.”
Consistent with ADAI’s mission and with the original intent of the I-502 legislation, ADAI chose to utilize the
Dedicated Marijuana Funds to support a number of related and synergistic activities:
Develop and manage a peer-reviewed marijuana small grants program for University investigators,
with primary emphasis on the legislatively suggested topics of short and long term consequences of
marijuana use and misuse, prevention, treatment, and public health.
Establish ADAI’s Cannabis Workgroup to conduct and publish intramural research, conduct scientific
literature reviews, develop research-based fact sheets and policy briefs, and develop collaborative
research opportunities with researchers at the University of Washington, Washington State University,
state agencies, and other research groups.
Maintain its dissemination efforts through its marijuana-related website
(http://learnaboutmarijuanawa.org), workforce training, marijuana-related symposia; public and
professional presentations; and distribution of marijuana-related materials and resources at statewide
substance-related conferences and through the ADAI Clearinghouse.
The present report provides information about the activities in each of these three general areas that ADAI has
facilitated, supported, and conducted during the 2015-2017 Biennium. As will be seen, a considerable amount of
significant work has been accomplished during the biennium despite the fact that the level of funding was
substantially less than the originally specified six-tenths of one percent of the taxes derived from recreational
marijuana sales and the budget proviso that requires that funds be spent within a fiscal year without the possibility
of being carried forward.
Dennis M. Donovan, PhD
Director, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute
P
This report details how ADAI
applied the $454,000 received
from the Dedicated Marijuana
Fund in 2015-2017 for
research on the short and
long-term effects of marijuana
use and for the dissemination
of such research.
ADAI Marijuana Research Report 2015-2017 Page | 3
RESEARCH FUNDING
The ADAI Marijuana Dedicated Fund
supported knowledge advancement
through both extramural and intramural
projects.
In the 2015-2017 biennium, ADAI awarded
8 UW investigators with funds of up to
$30,000 each. Projects included studies on
the impact of legalization among
adolescents, the use of cannabis to treat
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
among war veterans in Washington State,
and the role of social media on adolescent
marijuana use, among others.
Four ADAI intramural research projects
produced novel insights through
secondary data analysis. The focus of these projects was on
marijuana use and the impact of marijuana legalization
among at-risk and vulnerable populations.
Results from these research projects will be updated as they
continue to develop.
UW Extramural Research Projects A Request for Proposals (RFP) for marijuana research solicited projects across multiple disciplines for studies on the
“short and long-term effects of marijuana use and related consequences.” The RFP was framed by I-502 and legislative
language, including the impact of marijuana use and legalization on public health in Washington State, community
norms, and individual and group behaviors.
Characterizing Cannabis Use in Veterans with
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Kendall Browne, PhD, et al, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Steps Toward a Nation-wide Examination of the Effect
of Marijuana-related Legislation on Adolescent
Substance Use and Related Risk Factors Katarina Guttmannova, PhD, and Charles Fleming, MA,
School of Social Work
Development of a Novel and Translational Model of
Binge Ethanol and Tetrahydrocannabinol Intake in
Adolescent Rats Lauren Kruse, PhD, and Jeremy Clark, PhD,
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Marijuana Use and Disorders from Adolescence into
Young Adulthood: Examining Descriptive Epidemiology
and Mental Health Risk Factors in a Community-based
Prospective Cohort Isaac Rhew, PhD, and Ann Vander Stoep, PhD,
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Linking Sight and Smell: fMRI Correlates of Marijuana
Craving in Adults Natalia Kleinhans, PhD, Radiology
Consumers’ Perspectives on the Function of Marijuana
in Their Lives
Robin M. Harwick, PhD, and Tatiana Masters,
Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute
Assessing Marijuana Promotions on Social Media:
Theory, Health Information and Youth Targeting Megan A. Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH, Pediatrics
An Investigation of Craving and Cannabis Misuse
among Young Adults Using Multiple Levels of Analysis
Matthew C. Enkema, Psychology and
Mary E. Larimer, PhD, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Find detailed descriptions
and updates at:
http://bit.ly/SmallGrants_DMF
ADAI Marijuana Research Report 2015-2017 Page | 4
ADAI Intramural Research Projects
This low-cost and expedient internal funding mechanism resulted in meaningful small projects that generated academic
publications presenting new data on marijuana use among people receiving HIV care and among mothers in WA State
who are at high risk for substance use.
Marijuana Use among High-Risk Mothers in
Washington State Therese M. Grant, PhD, Fetal Alcohol & Drug Unit
Multi-State Examination of Cannabis Use Disorder
Rates in HIV Care Bryan Hartzler, PhD
Comparative Examination of Cannabis Use Disorder
as a Risk Factor in HIV Care
Bryan Hartzler, PhD
Medical Cannabis in HIV-positive Substance Users
Howard Newville, PhD, Center for AIDS Research
Influencing Policy: Letters & Commentary by ADAI Researchers
ADAI scientists published their views on marijuana legalization in Washington State through editorials, view points and
commentaries:
Carlini BH, Garrett SB, Harwick RM. Beyond joints and brownies: Marijuana concentrates in the legal landscape of Washington
State. International Journal of Drug Policy 2017 Apr;42:26-29.
Roll JM, Donovan DM. Guest Editorial: Washington Should Keep Supporting the Vision of I-502 by Allotting Research Funds to
WSU and UW. The Stranger, June 27, 2017.
Williams J, Banta-Green C, & Burgard D (2017). Commentary on Smart et al (2017): The need for better marijuana sales data.
Addiction, 112(12), 2179–2180. http://doi.org/10.1111/add.14037.
Carlini BH. Commentaries on Smart et al. (2017) Potency Increase, product development and marijuana marketing in times of
legalization. Addiction, 112, 2178-2181.
ADAI Cannabis Workgroup
Beatriz Carlini (Bia), PhD, MPH
Meg Brunner, MLIS
Dennis Donovan, PhD
Sharon Garrett, MPH
Bryan Hartzler, PhD
Susan Stoner, PhD
Nancy Sutherland, MLS
Jason Williams, PhD
Dr. Carlini coordinates the
ADAI Cannabis
Workgroup, which
conducts intramural
projects on the long and
short term consequences
of cannabis use and the
public health impact of
legalization.
Find detailed descriptions
and updates at:
http://bit.ly/ADAIResearchDMF
ADAI Marijuana Research Report 2015-2017 Page | 5
WORKFORCE TRAINING
Legalization brought new challenges to health and social service providers who work with marijuana users. To help train
the provider workforce, ADAI produced two science-based online trainings using principles of instructional design and
adult learning.
Content was developed following a thorough review of available educational resources for health care providers, and
formal and informal assessments of target audiences.*
Medicinal Cannabis and Chronic Pain
Developed for health professionals, this 2-module online
training presents current information and clinical practice
guidelines on the use of medicinal cannabis for the
treatment of chronic pain.
Continuing Medical Education/Continuing Professional
Education credits (CME/CPE) are available for physicians,
nurses, osteopaths, pharmacists, and physician assistants.
The first module is a basic primer on the mechanism of
action of medicinal cannabis, its medical uses, and
Washington State law. The second module focuses on the
best clinical practices associated with the
recommendation of medicinal cannabis. This training also
provides tools that may be useful to health care providers
in their discussion with patients about the use of
medicinal cannabis in the treatment of chronic pain.
Originally developed in 2014 through a Cy Pres grant from
the WA Attorney General Office, this online training was
updated and Continuing Medical Education credits
renewed in 2017, using ADAI Marijuana Dedicated Funds.
http://adai.uw.edu/mcacp/
Cannabis and the Washington State Recovery Help Line
This training was designed for helpline staff and
volunteers in Washington to be better equipped to
answer caller questions about marijuana use within a
legal market. It aims to increase knowledge about state
laws, marijuana products, mechanisms of action, and to
suggest resources that helpline staff may not yet have in
their tool box.
The content of this training was based on an ADAI-funded
assessment of helplines’ staff in four states which found
that helpline staff and volunteers are empathetic and
non-judgmental, but often unable to answer specific
questions about marijuana use, or to find resources in
the community that would address the needs of people
who wanted help with their marijuana use.
The online format allows for ongoing, on the spot training
– an important feature given the quarterly change of
Helpline volunteers.
http://adai.uw.edu/helpline
* Publications:
1. Carlini BH, Garrett SB, Carter GT. Medicinal Cannabis: A Survey among Health Care Providers in Washington State. American Journal of Hospice and
Palliative Care. 2017 Feb;34(1):85-91.
2. Carlini BH, Garrett SB. Drug helplines and adult marijuana users: an assessment in Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and Alaska. Substance Abuse. 2017
Jul 17:1-3. [Epub ahead of print] 2017
Meg Brunner, Bia Carlini, Robyn Smith, Sharon Garrett
ADAI Marijuana Research Report 2015-2017 Page | 6
INFORMING THE PUBLIC: SCIENCE-BASED EDUCATION AND DISSEMINATION
I-502 directed $20,000 annually to the Alcohol &
Drug Abuse Institute for the “creation, maintenance,
and dissemination of science-based public education
materials,” resulting in the website
LearnAboutMarijuanaWA.org.
On the website, ADAI publishes Research Briefs,
Factsheets, and Resource pages on dozens of
marijuana topics; special resource pages are
available for parents, teens, adult consumers,
Spanish-speakers, and people seeking help for
problem use. In June 2016, the site was enhanced
to work on mobile devices.
In the 2015-2017 Biennium, the website received
1,665,992 views. It is widely viewed as an
authoritative source for information about
marijuana, with more than 700 organizations in
Washington and other states linking to it.
Research Briefs and Fact Sheets
In the 2015-2017 biennium, ADAI Research Scientists developed 11 research summaries and factsheets on topics that
are frequently requested by providers, community groups, students, and professionals. These resources are available
on the LearnAboutMarijuanaWA.org website and also distributed by the ADAI Clearinghouse at provider conferences
and community events across Washington State.
Treatment Approaches for Adolescents with Cannabis Use Disorders
http://adai.uw.edu/pubs/pdf/2016youthsubstusebrief.pdf
Screening and Assessment of Cannabis Use Disorders
http://adai.uw.edu/pubs/pdf/2016marijuanascreenassess.pdf
Marijuana Use by Older Adults
http://LearnAboutMarijuanaWA.org/factsheets/olderadults.htm
Marijuana Use Surveys: Different Methodologies Produce Different Estimates
http://adai.uw.edu/pubs/pdf/2016marijuanasurveymatrix.pdf
Marijuana Use: Marijuana Impact in WA State
http://LearnAboutMarijuanaWA.org/factsheets/impactWA.htm
Marijuana Trends in WA State: Interactive Data
https://adai.washington.edu/WAdata/marijuana.htm
Marijuana Impaired Driving: Toxicological Testing in Washington State
http://adai.uw.edu/pubs/pdf/2016marijuanadriving_testing.pdf
Marijuana Law and Policy – 2017 Update
http://learnaboutmarijuanawa.org/policy.htm
Marijuana and Sexual Assault
http://adai.uw.edu/pubs/pdf/2017mj_sexualassault.pdf
Tobacco and Marijuana
http://learnaboutmarijuanawa.org/factsheets/tobacco.htm
Vaping Marijuana
http://learnaboutmarijuanawa.org/factsheets/vaping.htm
ADAI Marijuana Research Report 2015-2017 Page | 7
Symposium on Legal Marijuana in Washington State
ADAI’s second day-long marijuana symposium in May 2016
featured researchers from the University of Washington, and
speakers from the community, with interactive discussion and
Q&A sessions. Presentations explored new and persistent
questions within the changing landscape of legal marijuana,
e.g. new policies, challenges, and opportunities; marijuana
and public health; and prevention, brief intervention, and
treatment. Nearly 200 researchers, policy makers and staff,
treatment providers, and other stakeholders participated.
Video of presentations available to the public:
http://adai.uw.edu/mjsymposium/
ADAI Clearinghouse
Supported by ADAI and the Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA),
ADAI Clearinghouse is a resource center serving the residents of Washington State. It
provides free materials from federal, state, and community agencies, as well as
materials produced by ADAI and its partners, e.g. state agencies such as the
Department of Health, and the Liquor and Cannabis Board.
During the 2015-2017 Biennium, 4,500 educational materials were printed using
Marijuana Dedicated Funds, contributing to 62,000 marijuana-focused resources
(brochures, posters, fact sheets), distributed at 14 community and professional events
across Washington. http://adaiclearinghouse.org
COLLABORATION AND OUTREACH
ADAI’s work on marijuana involves collaboration with state and national organizations
through education, research and community outreach. The products and activities from
these partnerships were partially supported by the Dedicated Marijuana Fund and/or funded
through other funds and disseminated through channels supported by the Fund. Highlights
of these collaborations in the biennium 2015-2017 were:
ADAI and WA Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR, Washington Department of Social & Health Services)
Under a contract with DBHR, the ADAI Cannabis Workgroup reviewed and synthesized the literature on the Effects of
Marijuana Use on Mental Health. The result of this partnership is available to clinicians and researchers online:
Marijuana and ADHD
http://adai.uw.edu/pubs/pdf/2017mjadhd.pdf
Marijuana and Anxiety Disorders
http://adai.uw.edu/pubs/pdf/2017mjanxiety.pdf
Marijuana and Bipolar Disorders
http://adai.uw.edu/pubs/pdf/2017mjbipolar.pdf
Marijuana and Depression
http://adai.uw.edu/pubs/pdf/2017mjdepression.pdf
Marijuana and Psychotic Disorders
http://adai.uw.edu/pubs/pdf/2017mjpsychosis.pdf
Marijuana and PTSD
http://adai.uw.edu/pubs/pdf/2017mjptsd.pdf
ADAI Marijuana Research Report 2015-2017 Page | 8
International Collaboration
International collaboration was largely sponsored by the countries involved. ADAI’s role was to share UW expertise, and
maximize networking and learning opportunities in Washington state and respective countries.
Canada: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. ADAI hosted a multi-disciplinary delegation from
Canada interested in learning from experts in Washington about our experience with 1-502. August
2015. http://www.ccsa.ca/Resource%20Library/CCSA-Cannabis-Regulation-Lessons-Learned-Report-
2015-en.pdf
France: Cannalex Project (France). ADAI organized a visit and hosted representatives from the French
Monitoring Centre for Drugs & Drug Addiction to discuss marijuana research in Washington, for their
comparative analysis of marijuana public policy models. April 2016.
https://en.ofdt.fr/international-projects/
Australia: Wayne Hall, Professor, Director Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research. The
University of Queensland, Australia. ADAI hosted and organized Dr. Hall’s visit to Washington to learn
more about marijuana legalization implementation and outcomes. Dr. Hall delivered talks and was
available for consultation and collaboration in projects. June 2016.
Brazil: ADAI partnered with the Federal University of São Paulo in translating the online training on
Medicinal Cannabis and Chronic Pain to Portuguese. Dr. Carlini was an invited keynote speaker at
the 5th International Marijuana Symposium in São Paulo, May 22 2017.
http://www.cebrid.com.br/v-simposio-internacional-maconha-outros-saberes/
Presentations and Attendance at Events
Scientific Meetings
Marijuana and Cannabinoids: A Neuroscience Research Summit. Dr. Carlini presented. Hosted by the National Institutes of Health,
March 2016. http://apps1.seiservices.com/nih/mj/2016/
Cannabis Science & Policy Summit. Dr. Carlini attended. Hosted by BOTEC Analysis in New York, April 2016.
http://cannabis-summit.org/
2016 Addiction Health Services Research Conference. Dr. Carlini presented. June 2016. Seattle, WA. 2017 Institute of Cannabis Research Conference. Dr. Harwick presented. Colorado State University-Pueblo, April 2017.
Cannabis Research Workshop at Washington State University. Drs. Donovan and Carlini attended. Spokane, WA, April 2017.
Legislative Committees
Washington State House of Representatives Commerce and Gaming Committee’s
Cannabis Work Session on “Marijuana Research at the University of Washington”.
Dr. Donovan presented. Olympia, WA, June 13, 2016.
Community Organization Events
“Beyond Brownies and Joints: Product development in times of legalization,” a
webinar delivered by Dr. Carlini to the College Coalition for Substance Abuse
Prevention (CCSAP), November 18th, 2016. Northeast Seattle Together (NEST) on Cannabis and Care. Dr. Carlini presented,
December 2016. http://nestseattle.org/event/december-nestcafe-cannabis-and-care/
2017 National Cannabis Summit. Ms. Sutherland served on the planning committee.
“Seniors and Marijuana,” a presentation made by Dr. Stoner for the staff and clients of Sno-Valley Senior Center, April 2017.
From “Beyond Brownies and Joints” by Dr. Carlini
ADAI Marijuana Research Report 2015-2017 Page | 9
Research Projects Funded by External Organizations
Dr. Hartzler is co-investigator with Dr. Walker (School of Social Work, UW) on a National
Institute on Drug Abuse-sponsored 5-year study “A Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of
a School-Based Teen Marijuana Checkup”. The study assesses how the Teen Marijuana Checkup
(TMCU), an intervention with documented efficacy under controlled conditions, translates to
real-world effectiveness in Washington State public schools for teens who voluntarily seek
services for their marijuana use. The TMCU is a brief, school-based motivational
enhancement therapy approach that has been systematically evaluated in three randomized
controlled trials with reliable beneficial effects in prompting voluntary participation in the
intervention and decreasing adolescent marijuana use.
https://projectreporter.nih.gov/project_info_details.cfm?aid=9003775&icde=30041612
Dr. Banta-Green collaborated with the Harborview Injury Prevention Research Center in an analysis
of Washington State Patrol Data in a study funded by AAA Foundation on “Cannabis Use among
Drivers Suspected of Driving Under the Influence or Involved in Collisions.”
https://www.aaafoundation.org/cannabis-use-among-drivers-suspected-driving-under-influence-or-
involved-collisions-analysis
LOOKING FORWARD
Dr. Bryan Hartzler, PhD
As the recipient of I-502
funds for the 2017-2019
Biennium, ADAI will
continue to promote
research through the
Marijuana Dedicated
Funds Small Grants
Program and intramural
projects, emphasizing
collaboration with state
and national organizations.
Research dissemination
and training will continue
and expand through ADAI’s
Learn About Marijuana
website, the ADAI
Clearinghouse, and
training events.
1107 NE 45th St, Suite 120
Seattle, WA 98105
http://adai.uw.edu
This report was created on October 10, 2017.
Designed by ADAI Staff (Erinn McGraw)
MARIJUANA RESEARCH REPORT 2015-2017